Narcissistic Personality Disorder Definition

People with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) exhibit a pervasive and long-term pattern of an excessive sense of self-importance, extreme preoccupation with themselves, and a complete lack of empathy for others. They feel entitled to prestige and power because their distorted thought patterns give them an overblown sense of superiority. (Read about famous people with narcissistic personality disorder.) These distorted thought patterns and the associated behaviors can be traced back to adolescence or young adulthood.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Fragile Self-Esteem

The simplest way to answer the question – what is narcissistic personality disorder – is to say that people who have a narcissistic personality see themselves and their interests and opinions as the only things that truly matter. They have no capacity for empathy and cannot appreciate or relate to feelings outside of their own, which, as you can imagine, makes treatment of narcissistic personality disorder next to impossible.

This exaggerated sense of self-importance and resulting arrogance may look like self-confidence, but people with the disorder actually have exceedingly fragile self-esteem. This explains the insatiable need for admiration and unreasonable expectation of favorable treatment from others. When others admire and fawn over them, it feeds the narcissist's ravenous self-esteem.

Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder often exaggerate achievements and talents, such as saying they attended Ivy League schools or hold a top executive position at work. When others find out about their lies, the narcissist may lash out at them or try to get revenge by spreading cruel rumors about these "clearly inferior" people.

They believe only special people can understand and appreciate them for their unique qualities. For example, the narcissist may have a long-standing belief that he is destined to do or be great – famous, loved, or admired by everyone – but never take any concrete steps toward fulfilling that perceived destiny. Instead, she will handpick friends who reinforce her own ideal of self. (In-depth information on narcissists here)

Since people with NPD lack empathy for others, yet demand it from others, narcissistic personality disorder relationships often experience severe issues. Their intolerance for criticism or defeat usually impairs their ability to maintain interpersonal relationships. People in a relationship with a narcissistic personality feel idealized one day and devalued the next and can't shake the feeling that they're being used. The roller coaster of demands and rapidly changing emotions makes it difficult for non-narcissists to remain in a close relationship with a person who has the disorder.

Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

As with the other personality disorders on this list, and mental illnesses in general, experts don't have a clear understanding about the causes of narcissistic personality disorder. Most researchers theorize that a genetic predisposition contributes to development of the disorder, but that genes alone don't cause the onset of the disorder. Most believe that early childhood experiences, such as excessively insensitive and overbearing parenting, play into the development of the condition.

Other risk factors include:

• Receiving excessive admiration or profound neglect by one or both parents
• Receiving excessive criticism for misbehavior throughout childhood
• Experiencing unpredictable parental care
• Seeing primary caregivers manipulate others to meet their physical and emotional needs
• Severe emotional abuse in childhood
• Being male (although NPD can, and does, affect women)

Narcissistic personality disorder statistics from a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry indicate that 7.7 percent of men and 4.8 percent of women in the U.S. will develop the disorder. Anecdotal evidence (based on observation, not empirical data) suggests that the financial sector may have a disproportionate percentage of narcissists because they can make "quick, bold decisions without any thought for the consequences these might have on other people."

People with narcissistic personality disorder rarely seek professional help on their own until their lives become unmanageable due to their negative behaviors. A licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, will conduct a comprehensive psychological evaluation as well as ask about mental health history. He or she will also review medical history to rule out the presence of any troublesome medical conditions.

The doctor will then compare the client's symptoms and evaluation results with narcissistic personality disorder DSM diagnostic criteria. If the client meets the criteria, the doctor will give a diagnosis of NPD and begin developing a treatment plan that fits the specific needs of the client.

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Histrionic personality disorder treatment can give those with the disorder a stronger sense of self and coping skills to help them behave more appropriately in a broad range of social situations. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the best treatment for histrionic personality disorder is talk therapy.

Some people, however, may respond to other treatment approaches, especially if they have co-occurring mental health disorders.

Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatment

A variety of approaches are used in histrionic personality disorder treatment, including cognitive behavior therapy, talk therapy, and, occasionally, group therapy. All of these treatments address the various histrionic personality disorder symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps people identify thoughts, feelings, and experiences that influence their behaviors. It's usually a short-term treatment approach, making it more affordable than other therapies, such as psychoanalytic therapy. For individuals with histrionic personality disorder, identifying thought patterns and their origins could help them make the connection between these thoughts and their behaviors. This, in turn, allows them to see how they can work to change their thoughts to successfully change their behavior.

Talk therapy – Talk therapy is really a catchall term that refers to the various types of interactions between a therapist and a client. Talk therapy sessions use conversation as the primary way to move forward in treatment. Practitioners can incorporate talk therapy into almost any treatment approach, including CBT. Talk therapy is an effective treatment for histrionic personality disorder because people with the condition like to talk. Speaking candidly and aloud about their feelings and experiences can bring clarity about distorted thoughts and beliefs that negatively influence behavior. The therapist can capitalize on this clarity and teach the client new ways to cope with various situations and challenges, especially in social situations where someone else is the center of attention.

Group therapy – Most therapists don't use group therapy in treatment for histrionic personality disorder because individuals with the condition often try to draw attention to themselves. They may exaggerate their difficulties and experiences in an emotionally charged way that isn't conducive to an effective session for others in the group. However, sometimes, when a patient has made good progress toward recovery, group therapy can help her practice appropriate behavior in a group setting. With the therapist present, the client will still feel safe and free to try the give-and-take most people practice in social situations.

Mental health professionals should tailor histrionic personality disorder therapy to fit the needs of individual patients. Some have found success using a combination of approaches and others find using a single approach works best.

Histrionic Personality Disorder Medications

The FDA has not approved any drugs for use as histrionic personality disorder medications. Unless the patient has co-occurring conditions, most mental health professionals avoid prescribing anything to people with HPD. If, however, the patient has another condition, such as depression or anxiety, the doctor may prescribe medication to reduce associated symptoms.

Histrionic Personality Disorder Prognosis

Histrionic personality disorder prognosis is good as long as the individual sticks to the treatment plan and follows the therapist's instructions. Left untreated, the disorder can begin to cause problems in the individual's personal life, resulting in high levels of stress and anxiety.

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Histrionic personality disorder symptoms don't typically cause problems at work, school, or in social situations unless they are severe. Personality disorders show a pervasive and long-term pattern of behaviors that depart from social norms. As with other personality disorders, symptoms of histrionic personality disorder must appear in two or more of these areas:

1. Cognition (thinking)
2. Affect
3. Interpersonal relationships
4. Impulse control

The behavioral pattern must also occur consistently across a variety of social situations.

Histrionic Personality Disorder Symptoms

Histrionic personality disorder symptoms show up as a consistent, long-standing behavioral pattern of attention seeking and excessive displays of emotion. Clear signs of histrionic personality disorder appear in late adolescence or early adulthood (Read about famous people with histrionic personality disorder.

People with histrionic personality disorder have many or all of these symptoms:

• Behave or dress in overly seductive ways
• Easily influenced by others
• Overly concerned with physical appearance
• Excessively emotional and dramatic
• Overly sensitive to criticism (thin-skinned)
• Blame personal failures on others
• Constant need for approval and reassurance
• Low tolerance for delayed gratification
• Attention seeking (self-centered)
• Overestimation of intimacy in relationships
• Shifting emotions (others may see them as shallow)

Diagnosis of Histrionic Personality Disorder

Only a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, can give a diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder. Typically, people with histrionic personality disorder don't seek treatment on their own, unless the disorder begins to seriously impair or interfere with their quality of life.

A family physician or similar practitioner may notice behaviors and personal issues in a patient that require attention and refer the person to a mental health practitioner for assessment.

The mental health professional will give the client a comprehensive psychological evaluation. He or she will also ask questions about the person's medical and mental health history and behaviors across a variety of situations. The clinician will also assess the overall appearance of the individual. He or she will compare the clients' symptoms and other gathered information to diagnostic criteria for personality disorders as laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Once a diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder is made, the practitioner will begin to develop an individualized treatment plan.

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Given the meaning of sociopath, it would be quite helpful if there were a sociopath test. Non-sociopaths might appreciate a test that reveals the sociopaths in society. Sociopaths might be intrigued and want to test themselves to revel in their score and diagnosis. Is there actually a test that can lead to a sociopath diagnosis? (Take the online sociopath test.)

Because antisocial personality disorder, the official diagnostic term for sociopathy, is complex, so, too is the concept of testing for it. Illnesses such as depression or asthma can have concrete symptoms. Doctors look for the lack of something important or the addition of something that shouldn't be there. They can question the person about lifestyle changes. Yet conditions such as these can still be difficult to accurately test for and to diagnose.

A sociopath test isn't as definitive as a test for an illness or condition. Sociopathy is a personality disorder; as such, its symptoms and signs involve personality traits and behavior. Personality is a hard thing to accurately and reliably assess. That said, tests for sociopaths do exist, and a sociopath diagnosis is possible.

Professional Sociopath Tests

Researchers have developed and are continuing to develop tests for antisocial personality disorder. These aren't available to the general public but are administered and interpreted by a psychologist or psychiatrist in clinical settings such as hospitals, offices, and prisons. Among the most prominent:

• Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)
• Psychopathy Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R)
• NEO Personality Inventory
• Personality Assessment Inventory

These sociopath tests are self-report tests that highlight the degree to which someone displays the personality traits and behaviors associated with antisocial personality disorder. You might have noticed that two of the tests use the term psychopathy rather than sociopathy. This reflects the developers' professional preference in terminology, but regardless of the term used, the tests look for the same traits and behaviors.

Read "What Is A Sociopathic Person Like?" to help you recognize a sociopath without having to convince him or her to take a test.

Sociopath Tests of the Brain

The cluster of traits and behaviors displayed by a sociopath, the symptoms of a sociopath, happen to be associated with certain patterns of activity in the brain. Brain scans can test for sociopathy.

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans show that sociopaths don't have the same patterns in response to emotional stimuli (either verbal or visual) that non-sociopaths do (Babiak & Hare, 2006).
• Scans indicate that the brain of a sociopath shows the same response pattern for every stimulus while reaction patterns in a non-sociopath differ according to degree of emotion (Babiak & Hare, 2006).
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) waves record details about how the brain processes information, and here, too, the brain of a sociopath behaves differently (Kiehl, 2014).

Sociopath Tests for Nonprofessionals

Professional checklists and brain imaging/scanning are wonderful in helping the world understand and identify a sociopath. However, most of us don't have a filing cabinet full of inventories or a garage equipped with fMRI and EEG machines. Do those of us in this category have a way to test for a sociopath or even a dangerous narcissistic sociopath? Do "are you a sociopath" tests exist?

In our age of the Internet, it's not surprising that there are sociopath tests online. Such tests ask the user to rate the degree to which sociopath traits and characteristics apply. While these do check for sociopath traits, they aren't reliable, valid indicators of who is and is not a sociopath.

Assessments such as the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale for sociopathy are designed not to diagnose but to educate. As this is developed by respected professionals, the items give an accurate idea of what sociopathy is.

Other online sociopath tests are designed to be more for amusement than for anything useful. Tests such as "Can You Pass the Psychopath Test" are gameshow-esque versions of some of those quizzes you see on social media. What kind of animal are you? How about what kind of personality disorder are you?

While these may be entertaining and contain proper traits, they shouldn't be used for truly informative purposes.

There really are sociopath tests to help identify a sociopath. Given the complexity of this personality disorder and the tests themselves, they should be used cautiously.

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People with histrionic personality disorder (HPD) behave in highly emotional and dramatic ways in hopes of drawing attention to themselves. Everyone likes attention and most everyone wants to look attractive. These are normal desires, but people with HPD take this to the extreme. (See famous people with histrionic personality disorder.) These individuals have a pervasive and consistent pattern of seeking attention and dramatic, excessively emotional behaviors. They often dress and behave in sexually provocative, dramatic ways to get attention from others.

Although it may start in childhood, noticeable symptoms arise in late adolescence and early adulthood. People with a histrionic personality can typically function at a high level and achieve success educationally, socially, and professionally. However, those with very severe symptoms may find it difficult to live up to their potential at work or in school and treatment for histrionic personality disorder may prove helpful.

Definition of Histrionic Personality Disorder

The simple answer to the question – what is histrionic personality disorder – is that people with the disorder are attention-seeking individuals with a proclivity for fomenting drama across a wide variety of situations. People with HPD typically have character traits like:

• Highly emotional
• Charming
• Manipulative
• Seductive
• Demanding
• Energetic
• Impulsive

These character traits explain why individuals with histrionic personality disorder tend to see things from a highly emotional perspective. In short, they crave attention and the emotional "reward" that they derive from it and they feel uncomfortable when they aren't the center of attention. They're often lively and energetic (think: life of the party), but become greatly distressed when they are not capturing the attention of others. Do you know anyone that people think of as a "drama queen"? That person may have histrionic personality disorder.

People with histrionic personality disorder will try a variety of tactics to garner the attention of a room, including:

• Cause some sort of drama
• Flirt and talk loudly
• Tell stories in engaging and interesting ways
• Dress seductively
• Interrupt conversations
• Play the victim or princess

These attention-seeking behaviors occur consistently and over a long period of time. Individuals with the disorder frequently crave new experiences and become easily bored with routine daily life.

Histrionic Personality Disorder Relationships

Histrionic personality disorder relationships may be impaired because people with the disorder often have difficulty achieving emotional intimacy in romantic relationships. They may move away from long-term relationships so they can enjoy the excitement of a new one. Others may see them as shallow and overly provocative and their same-gender friendships may suffer due to their seductive behaviors toward the opposite sex.

Causes of Histrionic Personality Disorder

As with many mental illnesses, experts don't have a clear understanding of the causes of histrionic personality disorder. Most researchers theorize that genetic predisposition and experiences in early childhood may contribute to its development. The condition is diagnosed by comparing symptoms to the histrionic personality disorder DSM diagnostic criteria.

Histrionic personality disorder statistics show that far more women are diagnosed with the disorder than men. Experts believe that more men may have histrionic personality disorder than are diagnosed. Researchers estimate the prevalence of HPD in the United States at about 2-3 percent.

The disorder has a unique characteristic that sets it apart from the other personality disorders in that it is the only one directly connected to a person's physical appearance. Research shows that histrionic personality disorder occurs in women and men with above-average physical appearance. Some of the research suggests that the connection between appearance and HPD is stronger for women with the disorder than in men.

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Social predators live in societies around the globe. They're known by different terms, including sociopath. Despite the fact that there are signs of a sociopath, recognizing a sociopathic personality can be tricky. Just like predatory animals in nature, sociopaths know how to disguise themselves and be oh, so sneaky. Common sociopath signs include antisocial behavior as well as a complete lack of both conscience and empathy. A sociopath snakes through life, causing trouble and turmoil with every slither and slide. While the signs of a sociopath are big-time scary, it's important to know what they are to avoid being bitten.

Sociopath, psychopath, and antisocial personality disorder are all common terms for this personality disorder, and they're all similar. Some experts note minor differences and think of them as distinct conditions, psychopathy as brain-based and sociopathy as behavior-based. Others note very few differences between psychopath and sociopath and antisocial personality disorder. Whether one calls this person a sociopath, psychopath, or someone with antisocial personality disorder, the general signs are the same.

Sociopath Signs: He Looks Normal, Only Better

One of the signs of sociopathic behavior is that a sociopath, on the surface, seems just like everyone else. He's normal. There's nothing bizarre that stands out or warns people away, at least initially, so people don't immediately know the danger they're dealing with. Soon, though, the "normalcy" of a sociopath begins to look a bit too good to be true, especially high-functioning sociopaths.

A sign of being a sociopath is exuding charisma and oozing charm. Allowing a sociopath to be so incredibly alluring and fascinating is the fact that she has excellent verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Watch for intense, captivating, unwavering eye contact, for it's a sign of a sociopath. This person can, with her charming, outgoing, dynamic personality, completely overshadow everyone in the room - any room.

A scary sign of a sociopath is that everyone seems captivated by him. Everyone loves the sociopath. 

Deeper Sociopath Signs Are Scary As Hell

If the idea of being in love with a sociopath seems off-putting, it should (Sociopaths in Relationships: Dating a Sociopath). There's such a thing as too perfect. To help you avoid falling into the snake's pit, here are 10 signs of a sociopath to help you recognize one.

1. A sociopath doesn't follow the rules. He believes that the rules, laws, and norms that exist for the safety and wellbeing of everyone in society don't apply to him. He's above them, so they mean nothing.
2. A sociopath doesn't care about the consequences of her actions. She couldn't care less about what she does to you. She couldn't care less for any punishment she'd receive, either. That means nothing stops her from doing what she wants to do.
3. He grows bored very easily. A sign of a sociopath is the need for change, whether it's new homes, new locations, new friends, new relationships, new jobs, new whatever. His life must always be sensational. He's a thrill-seeker, always moving on to find excitement when boredom hits.
4. A sign of being a sociopath is impulsivity. She acts quickly and without deliberation. She also has neither time nor concern for assessing hazards; she's a risk-taker.
5. The sociopath is only concerned for the present moment, the now. This is far different from serene mindfulness. A sociopath lives in the present purely for pleasure, excitement, and instant gratification.
6. Signs of a sociopath are careless and reckless behavior. He does what pleases him and what will get him ahead. He couldn't care less who gets hurt or what the consequences of his actions are.
7. The sociopath is also unpredictable and quite unreliable. If she commits to doing something but later decides that there's nothing in it for her, she won't do it. She won't apologize, either.
8. A sociopath acts immorally. Cheating, lying, stealing, violence, and more are part of who he is and what he does (Does A Sociopath Cry Or Even Have Feelings?). 
9. To a sociopath, everything is a game. A sign of sociopathic behavior is the manipulating, calculating behavior that is part of the game. Oh, yeah. They must win the game.
10. Sociopaths have been called loose cannons, which is an apt summary of the traits of a sociopath.

The signs of a sociopath are big-time scary indeed.

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There is an abundance of speculation about celebrities and famous people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but not much about famous people with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). One psychiatrist, Dr. Dave Reiss, explains the common confusion between OCD and OCPD stating that the latter is likely more common among highly successful celebrities and other famous people than the former.

Celebrities with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Are there any celebrities with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder? A few celebrities have mentioned they "have OCD" in passing during interviews. But Reiss isn't sure this represents an accurate self-assessment by these celebrities. He suspects they may have OCPD instead (What is Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?).

People with OCD symptoms experience intrusive thoughts that compel them to perform ritualistic behaviors like excessive hand washing or repetitively counting and lining up foods in the pantry. They want to stop having these thoughts and compulsions, but can't seem to make them go away. These rituals can take up hours of time if the person has full-blown OCD, causing them to miss appointments and important events. "A person with OCD may become very successful if they can control their symptoms to a minor level, but full-blown OCD would tend to interfere with success," said Reiss in an Eonline TV SCOOP news story by reporter Leslie Gornstein.

Famous People Who Likely Have Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

The celebrities who reportedly have OCD, people like Megan Fox, Justin Timberlake, David Beckham, Jessica Alba, and others, likely actually have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Reiss went on to say, "...you can bet that celebrities and obsessive-compulsive personality traits can go hand-in-hand."

Reiss further points out that the rigidity and stubbornness seen in many celebrities may explain their self-centered, "my way or the highway", attitudes. In addition, many of them seem excessively devoted to work, sacrificing time with friends and family. Spending so much time working also takes a toll on close relationships, breaking up marriages and friendships. This could explain why many famous people end up isolated and lonely.

Dr. Carole Lieberman agrees with Reiss, saying, "Some celebs definitely have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. It's useful to someone who is desperate for fame because it helps them be persistent in clawing their way to the top of Hollywood's A-list."

While adoring fans will probably never know if these, or any other, celebrities actually have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, both of these psychiatrists seem to believe many of the top ones do. If OCPD is affecting your life, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder treatment can help.

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In case you were wondering, there are famous people with paranoid personality disorder, or at least who seemed to have many of the symptoms of paranoid personality disorder when they were alive. Some experts suspect that Josef Stalin, Saddam Hussein, and Richard M. Nixon all had paranoid personality disorder (PPD). Certainly, without a full psychological evaluation of each of these men, no one can make a definitive diagnosis. People familiar with these men and their behaviors claim they didn’t trust those around them, were consistently suspicious of even innocent acts of kindness, and were frequently hostile and argumentative.

Famous People With Paranoid Personality Disorder

It's difficult to find any famous people with paranoid personality disorder who publicly admit to their condition. Unfortunately, there's still considerable stigma associated with personality disorders, so sufferers and their families, both famous and unknown, tend to keep the information to themselves.

So, while you won't read about celebrities with paranoid personality disorder here, you can view movies with celebrities portraying characters with the condition.

Conspiracy Theory, 1997, starring Mel Gibson

This movie, Mel Gibson plays Jerry Fletcher, a suspicious and distrustful man obsessed with conspiracy theories.

The Caine Mutiny, 1954, Humphrey Bogart

This World War II drama follows the paranoia of naval officer, Phillip Queeg, played by Humphrey Bogart.

The Treasure of Sierra Madre, 1948, Humphrey Bogart

One of the three gold prospectors in this movie, Fred Dobbs, has a classic case of paranoid personality disorder. Humphrey Bogart plays Dobbs.

Falling Down, 1993, Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas plays William Foster, an unemployed defense contractor who lashes out violently against society.

Toto le Heros, 1991, Michel Bouquet

Thomas, played by Michel Bouquet, and Alfred were infants when a nursery fire sent nurses frantically scrambling to save the babies. Thomas exhibits traits commonly found in those with paranoid personality disorder.

Paranoid personality disorder, like other mental illnesses, can occur in anyone – rich or poor, tall, short, fat, thin, educated, uneducated, famous, or unknown.

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Paranoid personality disorder treatment is difficult because individuals with the disorder are typically suspicious and distrustful of doctors. If an individual with paranoid personality disorder (PPD) accepts treatment, psychotherapy and medication may help.

Treatment For Paranoid Personality Disorder

With commitment from individuals with the disorder, treatment for paranoid personality disorder can help alleviate PPD symptoms. If the patient commits to treatment, the psychiatrist or psychologist will likely use talk or psychotherapy. Paranoid personality disorder therapy seeks to do the following:

• Help the person learn how to cope with PPD
• Teach the person communication skills to use in social settings
• Help reduce the individual's feelings of suspicion and distrust

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) represents a common approach to paranoid personality disorder treatment. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts drive our emotions and resulting behaviors. The therapist will help the PPD client adjust his thought patterns and resulting inappropriate behaviors. Other therapies that may prove helpful include talk therapy and group therapy; although, it may be difficult to convince people with PPD to attend group therapy because of their intense suspicion of others.

Although there are no approved psychiatric medications for treating personality disorders, some have been shown to help reduce severe PPD symptoms. A few paranoid personality disorder medications include:

• Antidepressants
• Benzodiazepines
• Antipsychotics

Combining psychotherapy and talk therapy with medications can effectively treat PPD, helping the individual cope with his or her paranoid thoughts and choosing more appropriate responses to others.

Paranoid personality disorder prognosis depends upon the person with the condition. If an individual is willing to accept and commit to treatment, they can sometimes lead normal lives. Even so, since there is no cure for PPD, treatment must continue for life.

Prognosis and the long-term outlook for those who resist treatment is poor. These individuals may have trouble holding down a job and may not have success forming lasting interpersonal relationships.

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Paranoid personality disorder symptoms occur due to an individual’s pervasive suspicious attitude and distrust of others. People with paranoid personality disorder (PPD) often feel as if they are in danger or that others are “out to get them”. (Read about famous people with paranoid personality disorder.) They cannot see that their distrust is well out of proportion relative to their environment and circumstances.

Paranoid Personality Disorder Symptoms

People with PPD often have the following paranoid personality disorder symptoms:

• Concern that others have hidden motives
• Suspicious that others will use and exploit them
• Social detachment and isolation
• Combativeness and hostility
• Difficulty relaxing
• Difficulty recognizing their own issues
• Difficulty working with others

To get a better understanding of the inappropriate suspiciousness exhibited by those with PPD, imagine this scenario: You find someone's wallet on the sidewalk. If you have a healthy personality, you will probably try to find the person it belongs to or turn it in to a nearby lost-and-found. You might even hang on to it and put an ad in a local newspaper about finding a lost wallet. In short, you'd do everything you could to find the owner. You know how stressful it would be if you lost your wallet and you'd want someone to do the same for you. But if you had PPD, you'd immediately become suspicious and begin assessing the surrounding area for danger. You probably would not turn it in or look for the owner because you would harbor deep suspicions that someone is trying to trick you in order to take advantage of you or harm you. And if the owner, or another person, tried to inquire about it, you may become hostile or argumentative.

Paranoid Personality Disorder Diagnosis

Only a licensed mental health professional can give a paranoid personality disorder diagnosis. Your physician will begin by asking you about your family history and symptoms. He or she should also give you a physical exam to rule out any underlying medical problems. Depending on the results, your medical doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or other qualified mental health professional to further assess your condition.

The psychiatrist will conduct a full psychological evaluation. The doctor may ask about your childhood, school, career, and interpersonal relationships as well as ask several hypothetical questions. Your doctor does this to get an idea about how you respond to certain situations. For instance, she might ask you what you would do if a coworker gave you an unexpected birthday gift. She will then study your responses and assessment results to give you a diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan.

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